15.3hh - Gypsy Vanner - Lead of the Inlet


The season had come, and the time was drawing close. A chilly bite had started to touch the breath of the wind. Trees that did have leaves started to rapidly become aflame in their death while the evergreens began to don coats of frost. Waters around the island began to crash and complain in their growing temper. Whether eager or challenging the approaching winter, none could tell. Grasses started to die under hooves while mosses and brush continued to thrive in the harsh environment. The growing scarcity of food began to press herd animals closer together, with wolves beginning to nip at their heels.

Not only had the pangs of hunger started to brush against the being of the Inlet, the heat of desire started to stoke fires in the hearts of the inhabitants. Their closing quarters made tempers run just as hot.

For weeks, the bull moose that had also claimed the Inlet has his home had been trying Pagan’s patience. Coupled with the other mammal’s seasons of annoying presence the stallion had slowly been worked into hating the creature. Now the horned beast had overstepped its bounds.

The vanner stallion trailed through his home, making notes of where the grass was still green, the shrubs could be eaten, and where the warm springs and earth steams could keep them alive. He had found a patch of succulent mosses and grass, kept green by a nearby geyser and had stopped to explore the area more, taking note of how long the grass would sustain his small herd. The ground around the patch had already been walked and he recognized the shape and scent of the moose. He lifted his shagging head and met the stupid gaze of the bull.

Both creatures stared at each other for a moment. The moose had his full head of antlers and swung them back and forth in challenge to the stallion. It was a clear word that crossed over language and was impeccably clear to Pagan. Rage at the beast and the desire to protect his land, his small family, his home roared through his powerful muscles as he blindly lifted his heavy hooves into the air, screaming out his own challenge.

No other word of warning was offered to the beast as Pagan lunged forward, ears pinned to his neck. Wary of the giant horns, he tried to leap to the side, away from their points, while snapping his powerful back kick out at the creature’s shoulders.

PAGAN